Magnetized apron assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to structures for enclosing bathing fixtures, such as bathtubs, whirlpools and showers. More particularly, it relates to an apron assembly comprising a frame member and an access panel that are held together through magnetic means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to structures for enclosing bathing fixtures, such as bathtubs, whirlpools and showers. More particularly, it relates to a novel apron assembly that is suitable for attachment thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional bathtubs are provided with front panels or aprons that are not detachable. In order to make the plumbing connections for the tub after the tub is in place, access thereto must be provided through a door or opening in a wall against which the tub abuts. This same door is necessary for making repairs. Whirlpool spas and showers often have the same limitations as showers.

Aprons (also referred to herein as “apron assemblies”) for bathtubs and whirlpools are commonly used to give a finished look to a bathtub or whirlpool. They provide access, when needed, to equipment such as pumps, motors, piping and other operating equipment located behind the apron. A problem can arise when installing aprons and securing them to the bathing fixture. Traditional means that are used to install aprons include bolts and clips, and these can weaken the aprons over time and otherwise damage them. They can also make removal of apron assemblies difficult when it is necessary to gain access to the operating equipment.

Representative apron assemblies are shown in the following patents and patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 2,528,432; U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,603; U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,898; U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,906; U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,546; U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,175; United States Patent Publication No. 2007/033,728; French Patent Application No. 2,529,070; and French Patent No. 2,614,927. The apron assemblies shown in these patents are either kept in place with clips, screws, bolts or through a “snap” fit of some kind.

It is also known in the art to use tiles to cover one or more sides of an enclosure that includes a bathtub or whirlpool. Due to the popularity of this kind of bathing equipment, various solutions have been provided over the years to provide access to the plumbing and other operating equipment to minimize if not prevent breakage of the tile enclosure. Frequently, one or a few select tiles are movably positioned against a portion of a side wall of the bathing enclosure so as to allow access to the operating equipment. The selected tiles can be attached in a variety of ways, including clips, brackets and even magnets to avoid breakage of the tiles. Representative patents and patent applications that are relevant here include the following: English Patent No. 1, 322,782; French Patent No. 795,505; French Patent No. 1,255,461; French Patent Application No. 2,354,320; French Patent Application No. 2,614,927; French Patent Application No. 2,857,397; German Patent No. 2 308 502; German Patent No. 203 04 886; German Patent No. 40 09 921; German Patent No. 31 38 153; and German Patent No. 33 02 042.

The present invention seeks to overcome some of the limitations of aprons and other enclosure types that are currently available for baths, whirlpools and showers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an apron assembly for a bathing fixture that includes a tub having an outwardly extending rim. This apron assembly includes a frame member having at least two opposing open sections with a central supporting portion in between and an access panel. It is constructed and arranged to be positioned in front of a side wall of the tub. The frame member contacts the rim adjacent an upper portion of the frame member and is secured in place through regular fixation means, as known to those in the art. The access panel is sized to fit within the frame member.

Conveniently, the frame member and access panel of the apron assembly are connected through the use of magnets. These magnets may be positioned either on the outer surfaces of the frame member and access panels, or can be included within the material that is used to construct the apron assembly.

Contact between the magnetic elements need not be direct. If the magnetic field is strong enough, the access panel may be placed between the separate magnetic components.

The use of magnets in lieu of traditional mechanical means confers several advantages. First, it does not cause damage to either the frame member or the access panel. Second, the access panel can be more readily removed without risk of breakage. Third, the overall appearance of the bathtub can be improved due to the fact that the magnetic elements are concealed from view.

The particular aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating a bathtub including the apron assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including an enlarged exploded view of the apron assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front end view of the bathtub of FIG. 1 showing the apron assembly on the left-hand side;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the apron assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along line A-A; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the apron assembly of the present invention that is suitable for a shower stall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The novelty of the present invention resides in the positioning of one or more magnetic elements within an apron assembly. These magnets replace more traditional fixation means that are used for bathtubs, whirlpools and showers, such as bolts and clips. Advantageously, the use of magnets minimizes damage to the apron assembly and facilitates removal of the access panel for maintenance and repairs.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bathtub that includes an apron assembly in accordance with the present invention. The bathtub 10 includes an outwardly extending rim 12 all around its top edge. The apron assembly 40 is attached to one of the longitudinal sides 14 of the bathtub against the rim 12 to enclose that side of the bathtub. The other longitudinal side 16 may be similarly enclosed, as well as the front and back ends 18 and 20 of the tub, though in many cases only one longitudinal side 14 or 16 will be so enclosed, the other three sides being positioned against a wall or similar enclosure.

Turning now more particularly to FIG. 2, there is provided an exploded view of the apron assembly found in the bathtub 10 of FIG. 1. As may seen from the various elements, an apron assembly 40 is provided for a bathing fixture that includes a tub 10 having an outwardly extending rim 12. This apron assembly includes a frame member 50 having at least two opposing open sections 52 and 54 with a central supporting portion 56 in between, and an access panel 60. It is constructed with a view to being positioned in front of one of two longitudinal sides 14 and 16 of the tub 10. The frame member 50 contacts the rim 12 adjacent an upper portion of the frame member 50 and is secured in place through regular fixation means, as known to those in the art. The access panel 60 is sized to fit within the frame member 50 and is kept in place through the use of magnets 2 and magnetic plates 2 a, as shown more particularly in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a front-end view of the bathtub 10 of FIG. 1 showing the apron assembly 40 on the left-hand side. Partial magnetic means through which the apron assembly is held together is shown in the upper left hand corner in the circle identified by the letter “B”.

FIG. 4 shows in particular detail the partial magnetic means through which the apron assembly is held together in FIG. 3. Looking along lines A-A of FIG. 3, one can identify in FIG. 4 the bathtub 10 and part of its outer rim 12. Affixed to this outer rim 12 is a frame member 50. At least one magnet is joined to the frame on the side closest to the bathtub 10. On the other side of the frame 50, at least one steel plate 2 a is positioned in close proximity to the magnet 2 so as to bind to it through the frame member 50. The access panel 60 is attached to the one or more magnetic plates and is kept in place within the frame 50 of the apron assembly through the magnetic force created when the magnet 2 is positioned close to the steel plate 2 a. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet 2 is inserted within the frame member. Similarly, in another embodiment, the steel plate 2 a is integral to the access panel.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the apron assembly of the present invention adapted to a shower assembly. As may be seen from the figure, a shower assembly 100 includes a frame member 200, an access panel 300 and eight (8) magnetic means 250 positioned on the frame member 200. Suitable steel plates or the equivalent thereof (not shown) are included within the access panel 300 to complete the connection with the magnets 250 to enclose the opening 400 against the outer surface of the shower assembly 100.

The choice of magnetic elements will depend on the material that has been chosen to make the access panel. Generally, any magnet that has the strength to keep the access panel affixed to the frame member would be acceptable. Combinations of magnets of different sizes and strengths may be selected for assembly and are within the purview of one of skill in the art. Examples include, without limitation, rare earth magnets (including Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets, a second generation of rare earth magnet material), neodymium magnets (such as neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets), Cast Alnico and Sintered Alnico magnets, (which are aluminum nickel-cobalt-iron alloys), and hard ferrite magnets (ceramic magnets composed of barium or strontium).

The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Variations, alterations and modifications can be made to the particular embodiments described herein by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A detachable apron assembly for a bathtub, whirlpool or shower apparatus comprising a frame member and access panel, wherein said frame member is attached to said access panel using magnetic means.
 2. The apron assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame member comprises at least two opposing open sections with a central supporting section in between.
 3. The apron assembly of claim 1, wherein said magnetic means comprises a magnet and a steel plate.
 4. The apron assembly of claim 3, wherein said magnet is a rare earth magnet, a neodymium magnet, a Cast Alnico magnet, a Sintered Alnico magnet or a hard ferrite magnet.
 5. The apron assembly of claim 3, wherein said magnetic means comprises one or more magnets chosen from the group consisting of rare earth magnets, neodymium magnets, Cast Alnico magnets, Sintered Alnico magnets and lard ferrite magnets.
 6. The apron assembly of claim 1, which attaches to at least a portion of the outer rim of said bathtub, whirlpool assembly or shower apparatus.
 7. A system for aesthetically covering access openings in a bathtub, whirlpool or shower assembly when interior access is not required, comprising the apron assembly of claim
 1. 8. A bathtub, whirlpool or shower apparatus that includes the apron assembly of claim
 1. 